December 3
Beloved families of Good Shepherd,
Peace be with you! This coming Sunday marks the second Sunday in Advent as we move toward the great Mystery of Christmas: Emmanuel, “God with us”, in the birth of baby Jesus. Our children’s Advent story for the second Sunday in Advent centers on the story of the Holy Family. Mary was in her ninth month of pregnancy with our Lord Jesus when she and Joseph made the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted by the Roman government.
As I wondered about the story of the Holy Family, I was struck by God’s ingenious plan to come in the smallness and joy of a baby inside his mother, Mary. The Gospel of Luke says Mary visited her expectant cousin Elizabeth and as they greeted each other, Jesus and John the Baptist both “leaped for joy” inside their mothers’ wombs. Mary then describes her joy and awe as the expectant mother of God in her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” (Luke 1:46-49, also Canticle 15 found in the Book of Common Prayer, page 91).
The omnipotent Creator of the universe chose to enter our world as a baby in joyful, tender union with his mother, Mary. Perhaps God did this so we could learn to trust His gentle nature and His unconditional love for us. The prophet Isaiah says God’s love is as strong as a mother who cares for her nursing child. In the nursing bond, a mother and her baby are sensitively attuned to each other emotionally, spiritually, and physically. This symbiotic union between a mother and her baby helps us to see the joyful, life-giving relationship God desires to have with each of us. St. Julian of Norwich discovered that “God loves us completely and sweetly, and with infinite tenderness” and without “one iota of blame” toward us. (from The Showings of Julian of Norwich, translated by Mirabai Starr)
This Sunday our children will share the wonderful story of the nativity of our Lord in our annual Christmas Pageant during the 10 am service. Sunday School will not be offered from 9-9:45 am this Sunday due to the Christmas Pageant. Parents who wish to attend one of our Adult Sunday School offerings may drop off their children to our nursery this Sunday.
Next Sunday, December 14, is “Music Sunday”! Our Music School teachers, Mr. Justin Felix and Ms. Lily Pearson, will lead music during children’s chapel. When the children return to the nave after chapel, they are invited to sing the first verse of “Away in a Manger” as a group before returning to their parents in the pews. We hope you will tell your children about this special singing opportunity!
Many Blessings,
Patty